Month: September 2025

A Glorious Unity!

/ pastorpete51 / 3 Comments 
The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one. John 17:22 ESV

It is quite poplar at church to say that we should be one in the Spirit, but much as I have tried to get a hold of that unity, it seems elusive at best. Singing about it, having communion together and shaking hands after church feels great, but my sense of unity seems to evaporate somewhere in traffic on the way home. Part of the problem is that many of us don’t understand that first part of the verse. When Jesus talks about glory, I get this weird image of God giving us a standing ovation in heaven or perhaps Jesus pulling the Father aside and whispering, “See Pete over there – isn’t he great!”

The problem we then run into is that we try to work up Christian unity by our own efforts. I don’t know how that works for you, but the sad truth is that I am incapable of doing it. Unity comes only from God’s glory and one of the most glorious moments in Jesus’ life, happened at His baptism. Then the Heavens opened, and the Spirit descended like a dove. That is a glory that only comes as a gift (Just like Salvation). We can’t work it up, plan it into existence or take credit for it. It is a unity that only comes from heaven, and it is God’s gift. To live in His unity and His glory will only happen when we place our lives as living sacrifices on His altar. Then we need to wait for His Spirit to come and bring about what only He can do. That way, when unity really does happen, even for a moment, Jesus gets all the glory, right now and forever Amen!

Where is Your House Being Built?

/ pastorpete51 / 8 Comments 
“Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock. Matthew 7:24-25 NKJV

This morning, I wanted to show an often-overlooked side of nursing home ministry. Sure, our friends are mostly in wheelchairs, and some don’t have the ability to communicate well anymore, but they still love to laugh and express their worship as joyfully as children. Though I have been serving at Life Care Center for almost seven years, what has been happening there over the last two years is almost like a revival. Our dining room has been filling up with residents; more volunteers have been participating and the sense that God is on the move is reflected even in the staff. This week’s theme was trusting in God’s Promises, and though this is a Sunday School song, it is more biblically sound than a lot of the hymns. When Jesus ended what we call, “The Sermon on the Mount”, He says that there will be rains falling, floods rising and winds blowing in our lives. But then He promises that if we build our lives on the rock of His teachings that no matter what comes, our eternal home will still stand strong. I do hope you enjoy today’s video, and maybe even sing along. If you hear God’s call to nursing home ministry, stay tuned. I will be sharing more articles and videos over the next week to help you if you dare to enter God’s service in this much needed field.

Basta! More than Enough!

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But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 
2 Corinthians 12:9 ESV

I love the word “Basta” which we use in Portuguese in this verse, which means, “Enough!” or “That’s enough!” God uses this word in reply to Paul in the way a father uses it at the dinner table when the children are all clamoring for attention, or squabbling with one another, “Basta!” In other words, “Settle down. We have more important things to do right now.” When I am sick or just plain exhausted, I often pray reminding God that I belong to Him and need His help to make it through. Though I rarely experience a miraculous answer, if I wait long enough, I always come away with a renewed sense of His grace and enough strength to keep going. In that dark moment I hear the loving voice of my Heavenly Father rising up above the clamor of my hardships, confusions and pain and He cries, “Basta! Be calm! My grace is more than enough for you!” Whatever you may face today as the sun peeks up above the horizon, if you turn your heart to the Lord He will answer. Our Jesus, who did all for us on the cross, till in agony, He cried out, “It is Finished!” “Basta!” It is enough Father; I have given all!” That grace is now so free and open to us today because Jesus gave His all, so that we might never be alone, never abandoned, never without hope. “Basta!” May His grace be more than enough and all you need for today my friends!